The speech Paul Ryan can give to start leading a divided nation.

Congressman Ryan has a massive opportunity to lead a resistance from the center-right and begin establishing his legacy as a pragmatic leader. Democrats, Republicans and Neithers, read the below and tell me if it resonates with you.

Background thesis for the speech:

America is gasping for truth. The “Silent Majority” didn’t vote for Trump, it split it’s vote between Trump and Hillary and we narrowly had a winner. The Silent Majority, the growing millions of Americans that identify with Neither party, as well as many Democrats and Republicans, are actually fairly close to center.

If Ryan were to come out now and admit that he flip-flopped on Trump, explain why he did it, and discuss what he’s going to do differently, we, the Silent Majority, might know we were dealing with a real leader in Congress and not, well…a politician.

According to Gallup, Ryan’s favorability rating is at an all time high:

• “Nearly half of Americans (48%) have favorable view of Ryan”
• “Ryan edges out Mike Pence, Donald Trump and Melania Trump in favorability”
• “About one in five (18%) still unfamiliar with the House speaker”

While many Democrats could come out and make a speech against Trump, Ryan showing he has guts and admitting his own fault while providing moral direction would create a new power base in Washington DC and assure the world that we do not lead from behind. It may also begin to fill a vacuum in American politics where the middle is disenchanted and choosing not to participate.

The Speech, Titled: “To Err, is Human”

“Hello all. My name is Paul Ryan and I am the current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

About a year ago, a candidate and prominent businessman named Donald Trump came into the political limelight during the Republican primaries. As he picked up steam, he began to share opinions that were frankly not aligned with the standard to which this country must hold itself. During those times, I came out strongly against him and what he stood for. I denounced how he has treated women. I disagreed with his immigration policies. I stood against him when he criticized a judge, I stood against him when encouraged his supporters to be violent and I stood against him in other situations where he did not display a character worthy of this nation’s highest office.

And then, he won the election. He achieved the unexpected. And something changed. Something changed not just in my party, but in me.

All of a sudden, we the Republican party had it all. The Presidency, a majority in both houses of Congress and potentially a 5–4 balance on the Supreme Court. History shows us how rare that is. And no one wanted to be left behind. During the presidential race, we Republicans had tempered our feedback out of respect for party unity, thinking the madness would be over on November 8th. But with this win, all of a sudden we shuddered our views because we wanted to be on the winning team. In these first weeks, very few of our leaders are willing to speak out, including myself, because we not only feared retribution but also feared getting left behind for up to eight years and beyond.

That fear ends now. I have muted my disbelief, my shock and my outrage at the things that candidate Trump has said and some of the things he has done. But I’ve realized now, more than ever, that I am elected to Congress not so to fall in line, but to lead from position of strength.

I have always and will continue to believe so deeply and so truly in the Republican party. No longer can I sit idly by while we continue to head down a road that cannot be described as Republican, or embodying Republican values. We are the party that freed the slaves, encouraged business to boom and talent to flow freely between our countries and others. We are not the party of divisiveness. We are not the party of the alt-right.

Let me be clear on what I’m doing and what I’m not doing. What I am doing is saying that I disagree with the President on his executive order on immigration. I am saying I disagree with much of his campaign rhetoric encouraging violence and talking down to women and the latino community. I am saying that I will now begin again to speak up against these injustices, and I will use my pulpit as Speaker to make my opinions known. I am saying that I ask you, the media and the American people, to hold me accountable to my voting record, what I say, and what I do.

What I am not doing is wholeheartedly disagreeing with President Trump on everything. I agree that we need infrastructure spending, I like that we froze new government hires, and I agree with many other policies outlined in his First 100 Days Plan, like reducing the power of lobbying and cutting unneeded regulation. When those issues and many more are brought up, you will see me championing those efforts because they are what America needs. This Republican legislature will support those efforts, I promise you that.

I offer this speech to you, the American people, not just as an apology but also as a turning point. Too long have we come to expect politicians to say one thing and do another. Too long have we become complacent with double-talk. Too long have I succumbed to it. As Alexander Pope said “To err is human, to forgive, divine”.

I ask for your forgiveness now because I believe that above all, the American people value honesty. We can forgive people for making human mistakes, we can forgive the occasional scandal, so long as we believe in the person behind the podium. I want to continue serving this country for a long time and I want you to believe in me.

To those Republicans who are wavering, I offer you this: true leadership is not knowing which side the coin will land when it falls. True leadership is going with your gut, wherever it leads you, even if that’s on the side with less power or clout. If you no longer want to ignore the sinking feeling in your gut or the gnawing at your heart, then join me, Senator McCain, and several others that have begun to take a stand.

To the Democrats, I caution you this: I am not all of a sudden your biggest proponent on the Hill. But I am your ally in truth and fair justice for all. And if President Trump treads on those truths, then you and I are on the same side.

To the growing populace in the country that identifies with neither party — let this be a moment you remember that a politician bared his soul to a nation. It is possible for an elected official to trust the people, and for the people to trust an elected official. I present my most humble self to you in the hopes that we can build that relationship, together, starting today.

I will continue to serve as Speaker and cooperate with the Trump Administration to the best of my ability. Again I believe deeply in the Republican party and that this is our time to lead a divided nation. But I must speak out when the tide of history has begun to turn in a deadly direction. Please hold me accountable on this delicate journey upon which I embark. God bless you all, and God bless America.”

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